Lab Crunches

A blog workout for your mind

Lab Crunches is Bio‑Rad Antibodies’ expert blog covering antibody selection, validation, and experimental best practices across flow cytometry, western blotting, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, immunology research, and more.

Latest Article
Why H5N1 Bird Flu Targets Cow Udders Instead of Lungs

Why H5N1 Bird Flu Targets Cow Udders Instead of Lungs

This blog examines recent research on why bird flu, which affects the lungs in most mammals, appears in the udders of cows.

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Stay up to date with the latest research, techniques, and discoveries in antibody science. Choose your topic and/or application, or simply browse.

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  • Cancer (19)
  • Careers (18)
  • Cell Cycle (11)
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  • Feature (34)
  • Guest Blog (23)
  • Health (0)
  • HuCAL (1)
  • Immunology (27)
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  • Medicine (9)
  • Neuroscience (14)
  • Research (57)
  • Science News (11)
  • Signaling (3)
  • Tips & Tricks (25)
  • Veterinary (13)
  • Women in Science (12)

Applications

  • Antibody Best Practices (7)
  • ELISA (4)
  • Flow Cytometry (19)
  • Immunofluorescence (2)
  • Immunoprecipitation (2)
  • Western Blotting (4)
Flow Cytometry
How AI Could Improve Flow Cytometry Workflows

How AI Could Improve Flow Cytometry Workflows

In this blog, we discuss how AI could be used to simplify and streamline the execution of flow cytometry experiments.

Tips & Tricks Western Blotting
Ensuring Western Blot Data Integrity: Best Practices for Robust Results

Ensuring Western Blot Data Integrity: Best Practices for Robust Results

In this blog, we discuss proper documentation and image verification techniques for western blotting experiments to help you generate publication-ready blots.

Feature Flow Cytometry
How to Decide Whether to Upgrade Your Flow Cytometer

How to Decide Whether to Upgrade Your Flow Cytometer

In this blog, we explore the key signs of ageing instrumentation, from downtime and software limitations to throughput, automation, and panel complexity.

Research Neuroscience
Gut Microbes as Master Regulators of Brain Immunity

Gut Microbes as Master Regulators of Brain Immunity

This blog explains how gut microbes communicate with microglia, why microglial function is critical for brain health, how this relationship changes across life, and what it means for future research and therapies.

Tips & Tricks Western Blotting
Stain-Free vs. No-Stain — Western Blotting Mythbusting

Stain-Free vs. No-Stain — Western Blotting Mythbusting

Discover the real differences between Stain-Free and No-Stain western blotting. Compare speed, sensitivity, workflow, and equipment to choose the best method.

Neuroscience Cancer
How Lung Tumors Hijack Nerves to Dodge the Immune System

How Lung Tumors Hijack Nerves to Dodge the Immune System

In this blog, we discuss a recent paper by Wei et al. (2026), which uncovered a new mechanism by which tumor cells use the nervous system to bolster their position in the body.

Research Flow Cytometry
How Flow Cytometry Powers Cancer Immunotherapy Research

How Flow Cytometry Powers Cancer Immunotherapy Research

In this blog, we discuss how flow cytometry is used to support cancer immunotherapy research, from characterizing immune cell populations to understanding treatment responses.

Research Cancer
Let Sleeping Cells Lie: How Immune Cells Influence Metastatic Dormancy

Let Sleeping Cells Lie: How Immune Cells Influence Metastatic Dormancy

In this blog, we discuss how flow cytometry was used to examine metastatic dormancy, revealing a new role for immune cells in regulating this process.

Tips & Tricks Flow Cytometry
Sample Preparation in Flow Cytometry — Tips & Tricks

Sample Preparation in Flow Cytometry — Tips & Tricks

Improve flow cytometry sample quality with practical tips, troubleshooting advice, and optimisation strategies covering cell harvesting, viability, fixation, and tissue preparation.

Women in Science Careers
Voices of Women in Science: Professor Ruth Roberts

Voices of Women in Science: Professor Ruth Roberts

In this article, we speak to Professor Ruth Roberts about her career in science.

Tips & Tricks Flow Cytometry
How to Build Complex Multicolor Flow Cytometry Panels

How to Build Complex Multicolor Flow Cytometry Panels

In this blog, we’ve compiled our top tips and steps to follow when designing multicolor flow cytometry panels.

Research Immunology
Could Mindfulness De-Stress Your Immune System?

Could Mindfulness De-Stress Your Immune System?

In this blog, we discuss the effect of stress on the immune system and whether mindfulness has scientific merit in counteracting its influence.

Research Neuroscience
The Brain: A Bodyguard against Infection

The Brain: A Bodyguard against Infection

In this blog, we discuss the role of the brain in anticipating infection, priming the immune system, and avoiding the spread of sickness.

Research Cancer
ADP-Ribosylation — A PARful Regulator of the Cell

ADP-Ribosylation — A PARful Regulator of the Cell

In this blog, we explore the intricate role of ADP-ribosylation in health and disease.

Feature Immunofluorescence
Ten Tips to Light Up Your Immunofluorescence Experiments

Ten Tips to Light Up Your Immunofluorescence Experiments

In this blog, we have compiled our top ten tips to assist you with the selection of fluorophores for your imaging experiments.

Research Cancer
Cell Cannibalism: An Appetite for Cancer?

Cell Cannibalism: An Appetite for Cancer?

For this Halloween blog, we’re taking a taste of something slightly different: cell cannibalism.

Research Veterinary
Franken-Swine: World’s First Pig-to-Human Lung Transplantation

Franken-Swine: World’s First Pig-to-Human Lung Transplantation

In this blog, we discuss the realities of pig-to-human lung transplantation.

Guest Blog Cancer
CAR T-Cell Therapy — Driving the Future of Cancer Treatment

CAR T-Cell Therapy — Driving the Future of Cancer Treatment

In this blog, we discuss a recent study that used CAR T-cell therapy in a subset of gastric cancer patients

Feature Medicine
Beta Late Than Never: Delaying Diabetes with Teplizumab

Beta Late Than Never: Delaying Diabetes with Teplizumab

In this blog, we explore the clinical significance of teplizumab for type 1 diabetes.

Guest Blog Immunology
Training the Immune Mind: Advancing Vaccine Design to Educate T Cells

Training the Immune Mind: Advancing Vaccine Design to Educate T Cells

In this blog, we will discuss the role of T cells in the vaccine-induced immune response and the key challenges in achieving long-lasting and broad-spectrum immunity.

Research Veterinary
Can Gut Microbiota Predict Successful Racehorses?

Can Gut Microbiota Predict Successful Racehorses?

In this blog, we discuss a recent paper investigating how the gut microbiota of foals in the first few months of life predicts their athletic performance and risk of disease in later life.

Research Immunology
Is the Future of CAR T-Cell Therapy Off-the-Shelf? Genetic Engineering Could Be the Answer

Is the Future of CAR T-Cell Therapy Off-the-Shelf? Genetic Engineering Could Be the Answer

In this blog, we discuss how CAR T cell-therapy could be used to treat autoimmune disease.

Research Neuroscience
Bringing the Fight to Motor Neuron Disease: Selectively Treating Diseased Cells

Bringing the Fight to Motor Neuron Disease: Selectively Treating Diseased Cells

In this blog, we discuss a new approach to selectively targeting diseased cells in motor neuron disease.

Research Neuroscience
Can Neural Stem Cell Activation Slow the Aging Process?

Can Neural Stem Cell Activation Slow the Aging Process?

CRISPR-Cas9 screening reveals how blocking glucose uptake via GLUT4 reactivates aging neural stem cells (NSCs), pointing to new brain-aging therapies.

Research Immunology
The Importance of Sleep for the Immune System

The Importance of Sleep for the Immune System

In this blog, we delve into the specific effects of sleep on the immune response.

Research Cancer
The Role of Regulatory T Cells in the Fight against Lung Cancer

The Role of Regulatory T Cells in the Fight against Lung Cancer

In this blog, we discuss a recent paper studying the effect of depleting Tregs in lung cancer treatment.

Guest Blog Neuroscience
Home-Based Brain Stimulation: A Breakthrough in Depression Treatment

Home-Based Brain Stimulation: A Breakthrough in Depression Treatment

In this blog, we discuss the effectiveness of brain stimulation as a home-based treatment for depression.

Careers Women in Science
Voices of Women in Science: Professor Ana Domingos

Voices of Women in Science: Professor Ana Domingos

In this blog, we speak to Prof Ana Domingos about her career.

Research Cancer
Bispecific Antibodies: A New-Age Cancer Immunotherapy to Battle Solid Tumors

Bispecific Antibodies: A New-Age Cancer Immunotherapy to Battle Solid Tumors

In this blog, we discuss how bsAbs are gaining traction as a novel treatment strategy for NSCLC and showing great promise in combination therapy in clinical trials.

Careers Women in Science
Voices of Women in Science: Professor Dawn Bowdish

Voices of Women in Science: Professor Dawn Bowdish

In this blog, we speak to Prof Dawn Bowdish about her career.

Research Cancer
Could Salmonella Be Our Unlikely Ally in the Fight against Cancer?

Could Salmonella Be Our Unlikely Ally in the Fight against Cancer?

In this blog, we discuss recent advances in bacterial cancer therapy (BCT).

Research Veterinary
Man’s Stressed Friend: How Human Stress Affects Dogs

Man’s Stressed Friend: How Human Stress Affects Dogs

In this blog, we discuss a recent paper by Parr-Cortes et al. (2024) which investigates how human stress affects the emotional state of dogs.

Research Immunology
No Smoke without Fire: The Blazing Effects of Smoking on the Immune System

No Smoke without Fire: The Blazing Effects of Smoking on the Immune System

In this blog, we discuss a new study highlighting the negative impact of smoking on the immune system.

Research Immunology
Insights From Immunologists: Professor Hugh Perry

Insights From Immunologists: Professor Hugh Perry

In this blog, we speak to Professor Hugh Perry, who collaborated with Siamon to advance our understanding of macrophages in the brain, about his career journey in neuroimmunology.

Guest Blog Immunology
Therapeutic Dilemmas: Exploring the Dual Nature of IL-17 in Immune Responses

Therapeutic Dilemmas: Exploring the Dual Nature of IL-17 in Immune Responses

In this blog, we will discuss the pathological implications associated with IL-17A and current therapeutic treatments for diseases.

Guest Blog Neuroscience
Unlocking the Secret to Happiness: New Research Suggests Genetic Roots in Our DNA

Unlocking the Secret to Happiness: New Research Suggests Genetic Roots in Our DNA

In this blog, we discuss a recent study investigating how genetics influences happiness across different ages and ancestral backgrounds.

Feature Research
Bacterial Vampirism Causes Bloodlust in Pathogens

Bacterial Vampirism Causes Bloodlust in Pathogens

In this blog, we discuss bacterial vampirism, a phenomenon describing how certain pathogens are attracted to human blood.

Research Veterinary
Heart to Heart: Could Pig-to-Human Heart Transplants Become a Reality?

Heart to Heart: Could Pig-to-Human Heart Transplants Become a Reality?

In this blog, we discuss the use of genetically engineered pigs for heart xenotransplantation.

Research Immunology
Insights From Immunologists: Professor Hsi-Hsien Lin

Insights From Immunologists: Professor Hsi-Hsien Lin

In this blog, we speak to Professor Hsi-Hsien Lin, who worked as a postdoctoral researcher in Siamon’s lab, about his career to date.

Research Neuroscience
Donanemab: A New Hope in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s Disease

Donanemab: A New Hope in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s Disease

In this blog, we discuss the approval of donanemab, a monoclonal antibody designed to target and clear amyloid plaques in the brain, for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Tips & Tricks Flow Cytometry
Operation Titration: Tips for Titrating Your Antibodies

Operation Titration: Tips for Titrating Your Antibodies

In this blog, we discuss best practices for titrating your antibodies for flow cytometry.

Research Cancer
Tumor Patrol: Dendritic Cells in Anti-Tumor Immunity

Tumor Patrol: Dendritic Cells in Anti-Tumor Immunity

In this blog, we discuss new insights about how DCs control immune responses in the tumor microenvironment and the implications for immunotherapy.

Careers Women in Science
Insights From Immunologists: Professor Luisa Martinez-Pomares

Insights From Immunologists: Professor Luisa Martinez-Pomares

We spoke to Professor Luisa Martinez-Pomares about her career path and research interests.

Guest Blog Neuroscience
Unraveling Neuroprotection: A Small Molecule's Journey in Treating Multiple Sclerosis

Unraveling Neuroprotection: A Small Molecule's Journey in Treating Multiple Sclerosis

In this blog, we discuss the efficacy of a small molecule for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Research Immunology
Insights From Immunologists: Professor Alan Ezekowitz

Insights From Immunologists: Professor Alan Ezekowitz

We spoke to Professor Alan Ezekowitz, who undertook his doctoral studies in Siamon’s lab, about his diverse scientific career.

Research Neuroscience
Mind Control: Can Your Brain Control How Sick You Get?

Mind Control: Can Your Brain Control How Sick You Get?

In this blog, we discuss some of the key findings implicating the brain as a master manipulator of the immune system and disease states.

Research Veterinary
Pitch Purrfect: How Do Cats Produce Purring Vocalizations?

Pitch Purrfect: How Do Cats Produce Purring Vocalizations?

In this blog, we discuss a recent paper by Herbst et al. (2023) in which they shine a new light on the mechanisms that drive purring in cats.

Research Immunology
Insights From Immunologists: Professor Jon Austyn

Insights From Immunologists: Professor Jon Austyn

We spoke to Professor Jon Austyn, Siamon’s first graduate student who carried out the original research identifying F4/80, about his remarkable scientific career.

Tips & Tricks Flow Cytometry
Top Tips for Presenting Your Flow Data

Top Tips for Presenting Your Flow Data

In this blog, we cover some key considerations to keep in mind when presenting your data, with a particular focus on the differences between an external and internal audience.

Research Cancer
Monoclonal Antibodies for the Treatment of Endometrial Cancer

Monoclonal Antibodies for the Treatment of Endometrial Cancer

In this blog, we discuss the recent approval of dostarlimab (Jemperli), a PD-1 inhibitor, in combination with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for endometrial cancer.

Feature Careers
Voices of Women in Science: Dr Helen Wright

Voices of Women in Science: Dr Helen Wright

As part of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Bio-Rad invites researchers to share their own experiences of being a woman in science. In this article, we speak to Dr Helen Wright about her career.

Research Immunology
The Past, the Present, and the Future of Immunoglobulin M

The Past, the Present, and the Future of Immunoglobulin M

In this blog, we discuss a recent discovery showing that the protein CD5L is associated with immunoglobulin M in the circulation.

Research Cancer
Can Exercise Boost Anticancer Immunity?

Can Exercise Boost Anticancer Immunity?

In this blog, we discuss some of the research investigating the beneficial effects of exercise on anticancer immunity.

Careers Women in Science
Insights From Immunologists: Professor Lynn Morris

Insights From Immunologists: Professor Lynn Morris

We spoke to Professor Lynn Morris about her impressive scientific career, from working on F4/80 in Professor Gordon’s lab as a student to her significant achievements in HIV research and vaccine discovery.

Research Immunology
No Guts, No Glory: Innovative Treatments for Crohn’s Disease

No Guts, No Glory: Innovative Treatments for Crohn’s Disease

In this blog, we will discuss the different methods utilized to treat Crohn's disease, including the more commonly used biologics and the newly approved Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, upadacitinib.

Feature Cell Cycle
Zombie Slayers: Novel Therapeutics to Kill Senescent Cells in Disease

Zombie Slayers: Novel Therapeutics to Kill Senescent Cells in Disease

In this blog, we take a look at a new class of drugs, known as senolytics, that target so-called “zombie” cells and how this provides the potential to treat diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disease.

Guest Blog Veterinary
Puppetry of a Parasite: How Toxoplasma gondii Manipulates its Host

Puppetry of a Parasite: How Toxoplasma gondii Manipulates its Host

In this blog, we discuss new research from Meyer et al. (2022), suggesting that mild manipulation from T. gondii increases a gray wolf’s risk-taking behaviors, with potentially fatal consequences.

Guest Blog Neuroscience
How Dreams Can Predict Neurodegenerative Disorders

How Dreams Can Predict Neurodegenerative Disorders

In this blog, we will discuss what RBD is, treatments for the condition, and what is thought to cause it. We will also look at the link between this rare sleep disorder and the onset of certain neurodegenerative disorders.

Research Immunology
Siamon Gordon: The Father of F4/80

Siamon Gordon: The Father of F4/80

In this blog Siamon Gordon tells us about his life and career, with an impressive scientific pedigree and immense contributions to macrophage research over the past 50 years

Guest Blog Immunology
From Powerhouses to Inferno: A Mitochondrial Messenger Fuels Inflammation

From Powerhouses to Inferno: A Mitochondrial Messenger Fuels Inflammation

In this blog, we discuss the concept of immunometabolism, including a new study published by Hooftman et al. (2023) in Nature showing how a molecule derived from mitochondrial metabolism can trigger inflammation, providing insights into the versatile functions of these organelles beyond energy production.

Guest Blog Cancer
Spot the Difference: Why There Are Two Ways to Develop Melanoma

Spot the Difference: Why There Are Two Ways to Develop Melanoma

This blog discusses how both UV radiation and non-UV pathways can promote melanoma.

Tips & Tricks Careers
Tips for Writing Your Thesis

Tips for Writing Your Thesis

In this blog we’ve compiled our top tips to make your writing process as easy (or at least tolerable) as possible.

Guest Blog Neuroscience
The Biochemical Basis of Depression

The Biochemical Basis of Depression

This blog outline what is currently known about depression and anti-depressants, in the context of brain biochemistry.

Research Veterinary
Feline Good: FMT Reduces Digestive Problems in Cats

Feline Good: FMT Reduces Digestive Problems in Cats

In this blog, we discuss the results and clinical implications of this new study investigating the benefits of FMT in cats.

Feature Cell Cycle
Erebosis: Fly Guts Die in Darkness

Erebosis: Fly Guts Die in Darkness

This blog discusses a recently discovered form of regulated cell death known as erebosis, found in the guts of fruit flies.

Science News Feature
2022 Science Writing Competition

2022 Science Writing Competition

Find out who won the 2022 Bio-Rad Science Writing Competition.

Careers Women in Science
Voices of Women in Science: Associate Professor Carolyn Carr

Voices of Women in Science: Associate Professor Carolyn Carr

As part of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Bio-Rad invited researchers to share their own experiences of being a woman in science. In this article, we speak to Associate Professor Carolyn Carr about her career.

Careers Women in Science
Meet Philippa Marrack: a Pioneer in T Cell Biology

Meet Philippa Marrack: a Pioneer in T Cell Biology

In this blog, we take a look at the career of Dr Philippa Marrack, an immunologist whose research helped shed light on T cell development and function.

Feature Flow Cytometry
Compliance-Ready Flow Cytometry with the ZE5 Cell Analyzer

Compliance-Ready Flow Cytometry with the ZE5 Cell Analyzer

At Bio-Rad, we recognize the need for cutting-edge flow cytometry at all stages of the drug discovery process, so we have partnered with Xybion to provide a solution for compliance-ready flow cytometry with the ZE5 Cell Analyzer.

Research Veterinary
Dogs: Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing?

Dogs: Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing?

This blog takes a look at a study by Bergström et al. that examined the DNA from ancient wolves to help answer the origins of dogs from wolf populations.

Feature Medicine
Zombie Viruses That Come Back From the Dead

Zombie Viruses That Come Back From the Dead

This blog discusses viruses like herpes simplex and hepatitis B, that like a zombie return once you think they have been defeated. 

Guest Blog Neuroscience
Myelin: It’s Great to Insulate

Myelin: It’s Great to Insulate

In this guest blog, we dive into the structure and function of myelin and the consequences of myelin-associated diseases.

Tips & Tricks Careers
Getting Started in Science Writing and Communication

Getting Started in Science Writing and Communication

In this blog, Lab Crunches Editor, Kimberley Bryon-Dodd shares her journey from scientist to science communicator and her top tips for getting started in this field.

Guest Blog Feature
Placenta or Pleasant-a? A Marvelously Alien Organ

Placenta or Pleasant-a? A Marvelously Alien Organ

In this guest blog, the 2021 Bio-Rad Science Writing Competition Winner, Keira Lee Rice, discusses the placenta.

Guest Blog Feature
Genes, but Backwards: Grist for the Evolutionary Mill

Genes, but Backwards: Grist for the Evolutionary Mill

Where do new genes come from? This guest blog by Md Hassan Uz-Zaman discusses this question and how our view on this has evolved over time.

Guest Blog Immunology
A PITiful End for a Pathogen

A PITiful End for a Pathogen

In this guest blog, Temitayo Bamgbose, a graduate student at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, discusses PITs, a tactic utilized by the immune system to eliminate pathogens.

Guest Blog Medicine
Mucins: the Snot so Glamorous Future of Medicine?

Mucins: the Snot so Glamorous Future of Medicine?

In this guest blog, Katie Lowles discusses mucins, proteins that form protective mucous barriers in epithelial cells, and recent research highlighting the therapeutic potential of mucins.

Research Veterinary
Could Genetically-Modified Pigs Be the Future of Xenotransplantation?

Could Genetically-Modified Pigs Be the Future of Xenotransplantation?

This blog discusses xenotransplantation, the groundbreaking experimental procedure, where a man with end stage heart failure received a donor heart from a genetically-modified pig.

Tips & Tricks Antibody Best Practices
Treat Them Right! Best Practices for Storing and Working with Antibodies

Treat Them Right! Best Practices for Storing and Working with Antibodies

This blog discusses some best practices for storing and using your antibodies to get the most out of them in your experiments.

Research Veterinary
Genetically Engineered Pigs to Fight Disease

Genetically Engineered Pigs to Fight Disease

In this blog, we discuss Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRSS)-resistant pigs and how this could help alleviate the economic burden of porcine disease. 

Tips & Tricks Immunoprecipitation
The Training Bench: Workout Your Immunoprecipitation Fitness Goals

The Training Bench: Workout Your Immunoprecipitation Fitness Goals

If your IP technique is something that you are trying to improve, this blog has advice to help you to get better immunoprecipitation results.

Feature Antibody Best Practices
The Importance of Antibody Validation

The Importance of Antibody Validation

In this blog, we discuss the importance of antibody validation and highlight steps you can take to ensure you generate publication-quality data.

Research Immunology
Gamma Delta T cells: The Unsung Heroes of Immunology

Gamma Delta T cells: The Unsung Heroes of Immunology

This blog was awarded 3rd place in the 2021 Bio-Rad Science Writing Competition.

Research Cancer
The Buzz Around STING Agonists

The Buzz Around STING Agonists

This blog gives an overview of the history of the STimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) pathway and highlights why pharmaceutical companies are making a beeline to develop STING agonists.

Research Veterinary
Could an Unconventional Vaccine Program Prove a Roaring Success?

Could an Unconventional Vaccine Program Prove a Roaring Success?

This blog highlights the threat that canine distemper virus poses to the Amur tiger and discusses whether vaccinating these tigers could help protect them from extinction.

Feature Flow Cytometry
An Introduction to Spectral Flow Cytometry

An Introduction to Spectral Flow Cytometry

This blog highlights the basic principles of spectral flow cytometry and some of its advantages over conventional flow cytometry.

Research Cancer
A Balancing AKT: the E17K Hotspot Mutation and How It Defines Cancer

A Balancing AKT: the E17K Hotspot Mutation and How It Defines Cancer

AKT is an extremely important kinase in human health, playing an intricate role in coordinating fundamental signaling pathways. This blog discusses a “hotspot” mutation, called E17K, that can cause constant AKT activation and wreak havoc on cell homeostasis.

Guest Blog Careers
Big Dreams: Multidisciplinary Science — Not a Fairytale

Big Dreams: Multidisciplinary Science — Not a Fairytale

In this guest blog, Christine Lalonde, a Postdoctoral Fellow at Laurentian University, Canada, shares her experience of a multidisciplinary research career and her tips for others starting out in a multidisciplinary field.

Guest Blog Medicine
Can COVID-19 Trigger New-Onset Diabetes?

Can COVID-19 Trigger New-Onset Diabetes?

In this guest blog, Janielle Cuala, tells us about an interesting link between COVID-19 and new-onset diabetes and the research her lab is doing in this area.

Guest Blog Immunology
How Do Pattern Recognition Receptors Help Mount an Immune Response?

How Do Pattern Recognition Receptors Help Mount an Immune Response?

This guest blog takes a look at pattern recognition receptors and how they mount an immune response against viruses.

Tips & Tricks Flow Cytometry
How to Use Flow Cytometry to Measure Apoptosis: Part Two

How to Use Flow Cytometry to Measure Apoptosis: Part Two

Design robust experiments and troubleshoot existing protocols for measuring apoptosis by flow cytometry, by following the advice in this blog.

Careers Women in Science
Voices of Women in Science: Assistant Professor Lynda Coughlan

Voices of Women in Science: Assistant Professor Lynda Coughlan

As part of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Bio-Rad invited researchers to share their own experiences of being a women in science. In this article, we speak to Assistant Professor Lynda Coughlan about her career.

Careers Women in Science
Voices of Women in Science: Professor Sara Mole

Voices of Women in Science: Professor Sara Mole

As part of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Bio-Rad invited researchers to share their own experiences of being a women in science. In this article, we speak to Professor Sara Mole about her career.

Careers Women in Science
Voices of Women in Science: Olivia Blondheim

Voices of Women in Science: Olivia Blondheim

As part of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Bio-Rad invited researchers to share their own experiences of being a women in science. In this article, we speak to Olivia Blondheim, a PhD Student at the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Biology.

Feature Flow Cytometry
How to Use Flow Cytometry to Measure Apoptosis: Part One

How to Use Flow Cytometry to Measure Apoptosis: Part One

Learn about the different tools for studying apoptosis by flow cytometry and how to use them to get the best results.

Feature Science News
How CRISPR Revolutionized Science

How CRISPR Revolutionized Science

This blog discusses the CRISPR technology that was awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Guest Blog Immunology
A MASTer Immune cell

A MASTer Immune cell

In this guest blog, we take a look at some of the areas outside of allergy that mast cells play a role in.

Guest Blog Careers
Tips to Help You Succeed When You Have to Switch PhD Project

Tips to Help You Succeed When You Have to Switch PhD Project

Guest contributor Zill-e-Anam Shares her tips for staying on track when you have to switch PhD project, for reasons outside of your control.

Tips & Tricks Cell Cycle
3 Reasons to Use alamarBlue In Your Cell Proliferation Studies

3 Reasons to Use alamarBlue In Your Cell Proliferation Studies

In this blog, we will explain what alamarBlue is and how it works, and then explore three main benefits of this reagent.

Tips & Tricks Immunoprecipitation
How to Pull-Down Your Target Protein and Interactors Successfully

How to Pull-Down Your Target Protein and Interactors Successfully

This blog will take you through the basics of IP so you can get successful results from the outset.

Guest Blog Neuroscience
Secrets of the Haunted Brain: Ghost Tangles

Secrets of the Haunted Brain: Ghost Tangles

In this guest blog, we discuss ghost tangles, the remains of tau (found after neuronal death), and their effects.

Tips & Tricks Flow Cytometry
How to Avoid Cell Stress While Cell Sorting

How to Avoid Cell Stress While Cell Sorting

This blog describes the forces that cells undergo during sorting, and practical steps you can take to minimize cell stress and get great results in your downstream applications, like RNA sequencing.

Science News Careers
Seeing SARS – the Remarkable Story of June Almeida

Seeing SARS – the Remarkable Story of June Almeida

This blog takes a look at the career of June Almeida, who became a pioneer in the imaging and identification of viruses.

Science News HuCAL
Making the Switch to Non-Animal Derived Antibodies

Making the Switch to Non-Animal Derived Antibodies

This blog discusses the reasons why non-animal derived recombinant antibodies are something that both antibody suppliers and researchers should consider.

Feature Science News
Science Writing Competition Results

Science Writing Competition Results

The winners of the 2020 Bio-Rad Science Writing Competition are revealed.

Tips & Tricks Flow Cytometry
9 Tips to Get Publication Ready Flow Plots

9 Tips to Get Publication Ready Flow Plots

In this blog, our Flow Cytometry Research Associate shares 9 top tips to generate publication-worthy flow plots in a format that reviewers would like to see.

Research Immunology
Navigating the Deadly Cytokine Storm

Navigating the Deadly Cytokine Storm

Sometimes our immune systems launch an excessive, disproportionate response to a real infection, called a "cytokine storm". This blog looks at cytokine storms and the role they may play in COVID-19 pathogenesis.

Science News Women in Science
Three Remarkable Women Who Shaped the Antibody Field

Three Remarkable Women Who Shaped the Antibody Field

International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8th March all over the world to highlight the many achievements of women. To mark the occasion, in this blog, we take a look at three female scientists who have made major contributions to the antibody field.

Tips & Tricks Feature
4 Ways to Organize Your Way to Better Science

4 Ways to Organize Your Way to Better Science

This blog contains our top tips to help you be more organized and do the best possible science.

Tips & Tricks Cell Cycle
Top Tips for Troubleshooting Your BrdU Blues

Top Tips for Troubleshooting Your BrdU Blues

This blog post focuses on BrdU and top tips and tricks for conducting a BrdU labeling experiment to help you troubleshoot any BrdU blues.

Feature Signaling
The HisTORy behind the Discovery of Rapamycin

The HisTORy behind the Discovery of Rapamycin

This blog tells the story of rapamycin’s discovery, identification of the mTOR signaling pathway, and highlights the important role that basic research plays in translational medicine.

Tips & Tricks Antibody Best Practices
A Guide to IHC-paraffin Success

A Guide to IHC-paraffin Success

This blog is written to help you perfect your IHC-paraffin technique.  It focuses on some of the key stages so that you can achieve publication-quality results.

Careers Women in Science
The Transition from Academia to Industry

The Transition from Academia to Industry

Bio-Rad's Flow Cytometry Research Associate, Sharon shares her experience of transitioning from academic research to working in an industry setting in this blog.

Feature ELISA
ELISAs Do Little? Your Guide to ELISAs Part Two

ELISAs Do Little? Your Guide to ELISAs Part Two

In this blog, we take a look at sandwich and competitive ELISAs and highlight some of our top ELISA tips.

ELISA
ELISAs Do Little? Your Guide to ELISAs Part One

ELISAs Do Little? Your Guide to ELISAs Part One

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs) are widely used for the detection and quantification of proteins, peptides, hormones, and other substances in a sample. This two-part blog looks at the four main types: direct, indirect, sandwich and competitive ELISAs.

Research Cancer
The Importance of Phosphorylation Events in Cancer

The Importance of Phosphorylation Events in Cancer

This blog discusses phosphorylation, a common regulator of signal transduction pathways and the role of inappropriate phosphorylation events in cancer.

Guest Blog Careers
How to Successfully Manage the PhD-to-Postdoc Transition

How to Successfully Manage the PhD-to-Postdoc Transition

In this guest blog, Dr Elisa Vitiello shares her tips on making the transition from being a PhD student to getting your first job in academic research as a postdoc.

Feature Bioanalytical
WHO Decides What’s INN a Biologics Name?

WHO Decides What’s INN a Biologics Name?

This blog takes a look at the logic behind the names of monoclonal antibody drugs and implications of the more recent changes in the naming structure.

Feature Western Blotting
Taking Control of Your Western Blotting Troubles

Taking Control of Your Western Blotting Troubles

This blog discusses the three basic types of controls that should be included in a western blot experiment and provides a good starting point for troubleshooting any western blotting woes that you may encounter.

Science News Feature
A.dvancI.ng Scientific Research

A.dvancI.ng Scientific Research

This blog highlights how A.I technology is being used to shape scientific discoveries and research direction.

Research Immunology
Manifestation of Ghosts Exacerbates Asthma

Manifestation of Ghosts Exacerbates Asthma

Krishnamoorthy et al. (2018) have identified enucleated neutrophil cell bodies, known as ‘ghosts’, as driving Th17 cell inflammation in severe asthma.

Science News Custom Abs
NEWS: Nobel Prizes for the Antibody Field

NEWS: Nobel Prizes for the Antibody Field

The 2018 Nobel Prize announcements brought exciting news of two prizes awarded in recognition of ground-breaking achievements in the antibody field.

Research Cancer
Can Medicine Trust Your Gut Organoids?

Can Medicine Trust Your Gut Organoids?

This blog focuses on gastrointestinal organoids and their role in advancing cancer research and therapy.

Tips & Tricks Cell Cycle
SUMOylation: a Heavyweight in the Regulation of Cell Cycle Progression and Cell Proliferation – Part One

SUMOylation: a Heavyweight in the Regulation of Cell Cycle Progression and Cell Proliferation – Part One

This blog post discusses the discovery of SUMO and the importance of SUMOylation in cell cycle regulation and cellular proliferation.

Research Immunology
Th2A Cells — the Latest T Helper Cell Subset and its Role in Allergy

Th2A Cells — the Latest T Helper Cell Subset and its Role in Allergy

Th2A cells are a recently identified subset of T helper cells type 2 (Th2). This blog looks at the role of Th2A cells in allergy.

Feature Bioanalytical
Getting the Dose Right

Getting the Dose Right

This blog discusses therapeutic drug monitoring and why it is used for conditions such as IBD to ensure that treatment remains safe and effective.

Research Immunology
Inking the Immune System: How Macrophages Make Tattoos Last

Inking the Immune System: How Macrophages Make Tattoos Last

Baranska et al. (2018) identify macrophage dynamics as being key to tattoos lasting. This blog examines why tattoos are so difficult to remove.

Flow Cytometry
How to Get More Out of Your Multicolor Panels

How to Get More Out of Your Multicolor Panels

Learn how to build better panels for flow cytometry through optimizing for antigen density, using a dump channel and including viability markers.

Tips & Tricks Cell Cycle
SUMOylation: a Heavyweight in the Regulation of Cell Cycle Progression and Cell Proliferation – Part Two

SUMOylation: a Heavyweight in the Regulation of Cell Cycle Progression and Cell Proliferation – Part Two

We examine SUMOylation, the effect of their aberrant SUMOylation on signaling pathways and the potential of SUMO inhibitors in cancer therapy.

Feature Signaling
Why EGF R is an Attractive Target for Cancer Therapy

Why EGF R is an Attractive Target for Cancer Therapy

We examine the history of Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF R), the EGF R family and function along with how EGF R promotes cancer development.

Feature Medicine
The possible autoimmune nature of Parkinson’s disease

The possible autoimmune nature of Parkinson’s disease

Discover new studies describing the auto-immune mechanism associated with the development of Parkinson's Disease.

Research Immunology
How Good Bacteria Protect Us from Pathogenic Infection

How Good Bacteria Protect Us from Pathogenic Infection

This blog describes studies demonstrating the beneficial role of commensal bacteria in treating microbial infections and antibiotic resistance.

Feature Medicine
Rats — An ideal animal model of human disease

Rats — An ideal animal model of human disease

Discover the features of rats that make them ideal animal models for scientific research and new discoveries generated using transgenic rat models.

Research Immunology
How to Identify Major Immune Cell Types by Their CD Marker Expression

How to Identify Major Immune Cell Types by Their CD Marker Expression

Learn how a new tool from Bio-Rad simplifies knowing what markers to use to identify certain immune cell types.

Tips & Tricks Cell Cycle
Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) in adult neurogenesis research - Part 2

Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) in adult neurogenesis research - Part 2

Our second part of BrdU in adult neurogenesis research, describes “the dark side of BrdU” and how you can carefully control BrdU labeling experiments

Tips & Tricks Cell Cycle
Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) in adult neurogenesis research - Part 1

Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) in adult neurogenesis research - Part 1

The first of a two part series describing how BrdU revolutionized the field of neurogenesis.

Research Immunology
Macrophages, obesity and insulin resistance

Macrophages, obesity and insulin resistance

This blog post describes the mechanisms by which macrophages induce insulin resistance in the obese state.

Research Immunology
What do monocytes have to do with the heart?

What do monocytes have to do with the heart?

This post describes the role of monocytes in heart disease and whether monocyte infiltration into the heart exacerbates disease or aids in its repair.

Flow Cytometry
A Guide to Gating in Flow Cytometry

A Guide to Gating in Flow Cytometry

This blog post will take you through the various gating strategies for effective flow cytometry analysis.

Immunofluorescence
Illuminating Biomedical Research—The Story of Fluorescent Proteins

Illuminating Biomedical Research—The Story of Fluorescent Proteins

Fluorescent proteins have expanded the capabilities of scientists, thus allowing observations that would not have been possible without them.

Science News Cell Cycle
Autophagy, and Neurodegeneration

Autophagy, and Neurodegeneration

This blog post highlights autophagy as a therapeutic strategy for neurodegeneration.

Feature Medicine
Killer bugs among us - the kissing bug and the Asian giant hornet

Killer bugs among us - the kissing bug and the Asian giant hornet

While insects are not the deadliest animals they can significantly impact human health. Learn about the killer bug and Asian giant hornet.

Science News Antibody Best Practices
The road to antibody validation standards

The road to antibody validation standards

In this blog post we highlight some the current potholes on the road to reproducible antibodies.

Tips & Tricks ELISA
Applying best practices for characterizing critical reagents

Applying best practices for characterizing critical reagents

This blog post defines critical reagents and best practices for their characterization.

ELISA
Deciding which ELISA Technique is Right for You

Deciding which ELISA Technique is Right for You

We describe the different types of ELISAs, the advantages and disadvantages of each and what to consider before choosing an ELISA technique.

Research Veterinary
The oldest known naturally occurring cancer is transmitted between dogs

The oldest known naturally occurring cancer is transmitted between dogs

Learn more about the biology of the transmissible canine cancer CTVT and why it is a biological curiosity of significant magnitude in this blog post.

Feature Cell Cycle
Cell Death by Apoptosis—The Journey of a Single Cell from Health to Death

Cell Death by Apoptosis—The Journey of a Single Cell from Health to Death

This blog describes the triggers & mechanisms that lead to death by apoptosis, as well as assays for measuring apoptosis in your research.

Research Cancer
Inducing macrophages that work against rather than for cancer

Inducing macrophages that work against rather than for cancer

Within the immune response to cancer macrophages present both a problem and solution. This post describes how they can assist with tumor clearance.

Research Cancer
GATA transcription factors and their role in cancer diagnosis and prognosis

GATA transcription factors and their role in cancer diagnosis and prognosis

The GATA family of transcription factors is emerging as key players in establishing new biomarkers for rapid and accurate detection of cancer. Find out more...

Research Immunology
Immunological memory is no longer a unique trait of adaptive immune cells

Immunological memory is no longer a unique trait of adaptive immune cells

The new finding of trained immunity challenges the basic tenets of immunology, blurring the line that separates innate and adaptive immunity.

Feature Bioanalytical
High affinity antibodies for improved analysis of antibody drugs

High affinity antibodies for improved analysis of antibody drugs

This blog post provides insight on how to improve your assay sensitivity by selecting antibodies based on binding strength as well as affinity.

Feature Antibody Best Practices
Journey to the antibody vial: the story of monoclonal antibodies in research

Journey to the antibody vial: the story of monoclonal antibodies in research

Join us as we take a walk down memory lane and tell the story of how monoclonal antibodies for research purposes came to be.

Western Blotting
How to Detect Your Target Protein or Protein Complex without Interfering IgG Chains

How to Detect Your Target Protein or Protein Complex without Interfering IgG Chains

This blog post discusses TidyBlot and how it does not detect IgG heavy and light chains in your co-IP experiment.

Science News Medicine
Does the Ebola virus ever really go away?

Does the Ebola virus ever really go away?

This blog post provides an update on the current Ebola epidemic, citing evidence that the virus can linger in immune privileged sites inside the body.

Tips & Tricks Antibody Best Practices
“Is it the antibody?” Tips for caring for your antibody for consistent results

“Is it the antibody?” Tips for caring for your antibody for consistent results

With over 35 years of experience with antibodies, we offer our expert advice for taking care of your antibodies for consistent results.

Feature Antibody Best Practices
Standardizing Antibody Validation

Standardizing Antibody Validation

This blog post describes the current efforts and streams of thought for generating antibody validation standards to address the scientific reproducibility crisis

Feature Medicine
Are you likely to develop Alzheimer’s from grilled food?

Are you likely to develop Alzheimer’s from grilled food?

This blog post describes how your choice of cooking method may increase your risk for developing a range of diseases, including Alzheimer's

Feature Signaling
Natural phosphatase inhibitors: the danger around us

Natural phosphatase inhibitors: the danger around us

This post describes how natural phosphatase inhibitors impact on human health.

Tips & Tricks Cell Cycle
Measuring the inevitable divide - tools for assessing cell proliferation

Measuring the inevitable divide - tools for assessing cell proliferation

This post describes crucial markers and useful markers to study aberrant cell proliferation.

Flow Cytometry
Tandem Dyes—The Power Couples of Flow Cytometry

Tandem Dyes—The Power Couples of Flow Cytometry

This post describes what tandem dyes are and what to keep in mind when incorporating them into your flow cytometry panels.

Research Cancer
Inheriting mutant tumor suppressor genes increases your risk for cancer

Inheriting mutant tumor suppressor genes increases your risk for cancer

This post describes how mutations in proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes account for tumorigenesis.

Flow Cytometry
To Control or Not to Control, that Is the Multicolor Flow Question…

To Control or Not to Control, that Is the Multicolor Flow Question…

This post describes what an isotype control is and how one could be beneficial in your multi-color flow cytometry experiments.

Flow Cytometry
Intracellular flow cytometry - the good, the bad and the cytokines

Intracellular flow cytometry - the good, the bad and the cytokines

This post describes a few key factors to consider when designing intracellular flow cytometry experiments.

Flow Cytometry
10 tips for designing a basic flow cytometry panel

10 tips for designing a basic flow cytometry panel

This post provides flow cytometry novices with a basic overview of how to design a multi-color flow cytometry panel.